A Wrong Turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (Jane Rawson, Transit Lounge)

Dystopian worlds can be as perilous for those writing about them as they are for those occupying them. Thankfully Jane Rawson avoids the common trap of valuing the surroundings over the story by setting her narrative in familiar places, albeit ones that have undergone considerable changes. In 1997 two lovers, Simon and Sarah, embark on a quest to stand at least once on every 25-foot square of America. In the future we meet Caddy and Ray, two friends who are down on their luck. They live in a world where the rivers have risen and UN soldiers fill the streets, the reasons for which are never clear. The people are mostly destitute, squabbling for dollars here and there. When Ray buys some old maps from a soldier, he and Caddy decide to follow in the footsteps of the young lovers. This is the first novel from Rawson, a former writer for Lonely Planet, and her love of travel is evident on every page. While the dialogue can feel a little forced at times, the familiar settings, including depictions of Melbourne and San Francisco, and likeable characters fighting for their place in the world make this an enjoyable read. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy some quirkiness in their dystopian fiction, and who appreciate a writer who takes risks.

Andrew Cattanach is a book reviewer for Booktopia

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Category: Reviews